The recent performance from TOTC not only lived up to expectations but exceeded it in bucketloads. Themed ‘Songs from the shows’, there was a rousing start to the 1st Act which set the scene for a truly exhilarating show and a few new faces complemented the established cast perfectly.
‘A Comedy Tonight’ told us we were in for not just comedic songs but also dance and a very clever sketch involving four actors, Roger Barlow, Mike and Janice Finnigan and Paula Keen - radio at its idiosyncratic best! Beautiful solos from Sarah Sherwood (Send in the Clowns) and Caitlin Sherwood (I’m not that Girl), subtly off set by Harry Kennedy, Roger Barlow, Jon White and Mike Finnigan performing the far less serious ‘Everybody ought to have a Maid’ and Roger solo-ing with ‘Springtime’.
With a great Andrew Lloyd Webber medley involving the whole cast (also with more solos), including three very charming ‘Cats’, the 1st Act was brought to a close with a boisterous rendition of ‘That’s Entertainment’.
The second Act opened smartly with the dancers (Katherine Bland, Paula Keen and Karis Finnigan) performing ‘All That Jazz’ and ‘Razzle Dazzle’ with gusto, followed by Harry Kennedy’s poignant ‘Mr. Cellophane’, the comedic ‘I can’t stand by and watch others suffer’ and ‘I want everything there is to do with you.’ The selection from ‘Oh, what a lovely War’ was both apt and moving and had the audience joining in (those who could remember the songs!), in complete contrast to the excerpts from ‘Billy Elliot’, which introduced newcomer Joe Lloyd, duetting capably with Sarah in ‘The Letter’ and Harry in ‘Deep into the Ground’, finishing with a joyous ‘Shine’ from the dancers, and shine they all did.
Also new to TOTC, we were treated to two wonderful solos from Barbara Turner, with ‘Bill’ and ‘This is my Beloved’, which held the audience enthralled. The company is so lucky to have such accomplished singers.
Roger Barlow’s ‘Memory’ had me in fits of laughter, the tears literally rolling down my cheeks, whilst the penultimate medley from ‘Les Miserables’ had me in tears for quite different reasons. It takes guts to perform anything from such a well-loved show but they did so magnificently. I particularly enjoyed ‘Master of the House’ with Sarah and Jon doing a brilliant job and the solos from Caitlin and Karis Finnigan were superb.
‘The Best of Times’ brought this great show to a finale with Jon White having kept it all together with good humour, banter and flowing smoothly, as M.C. Huge congratulations then to Sophia Kennedy, Director and Choreographer, to Ian Sherwood, Musical Director, to the whole cast and to all the Crew, led by John Newton, Stage and Property Manager.
A brilliant evening, well done!
Review by Glen Godson
For more information about this production, please see our Past Productions page for A Step Back to Nostalgia.